Thoughts on old pony with diarrhea?

Ford Zoo · #1 04/10/12, 03:02 PM

Quick history: adopted "7 year old" Shetland from rescue 6 years ago-could tell he was way older. My vet agreed but would not give me his estimated age. Four years ago got a new well, deeper, iron in the water. Two days later "Popeye" got diarrhea. I thought it was the new water. Intermittant diarrhea for the past 4 years. Treated with antibiotics, pepto, etc. Didn't seem to make a difference and he never lost condition. He gets free choice grass hay, grain with the other horses if it is -20 below zero, regular worming, and limited grass. Perhaps teeth need done but no balling or dropping.
This spring he acts fine, but has dropped weight and has had watery diarrhea for a few months now. (No grain this year due to mild winter) Literally, water oozing out at times to the point he doesn't even raise his tail. What a mess.
Previous vet checks have directed "Just keep doing what you are, he looks fine otherwise". Now they are suggesting taking him to UofM vet school for a scope. Love my animals, but that is not happening. He continues to act fine, no signs of pain/cramping/etc.
An experienced pony friend suggested it is from simple old age and that he needs a feed to bulk up his bowel movements.

I'm trying that but would appreciate any other suggestions. Thanks! And he appears to never have foundered-hooves have always been in great shape!

Irish Pixie · #2 04/10/12, 03:17 PM

Have you ever tried probiotics? I've also heard of people using psyllium husks too.

Ford Zoo · #3 04/10/12, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Pixie

Have you ever tried probiotics? I've also heard of people using psyllium husks too.

I've actually added homemade yogurt and Kefir for a treat. Are Psyllium husks any different from the regular psyllium supplements you can buy?

Irish Pixie · #4 04/10/12, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Zoo

I've actually added homemade yogurt and Kefir for a treat. Are Psyllium husks any different from the regular psyllium supplements you can buy?

Was there any difference after the yogurt or kefir? I think the probiotics are more concentrated and have higher amounts of the good gut "bugs". The regular psyllium is a powder and it's easier to feed, I don't believe it makes much difference if you feed powder or the husks, as a disclaimer I've never tried it but I've read/heard that people have had good results using it.

Joshie · #5 04/10/12, 04:51 PM

We've never given probiotics to our horses but the docs had my daughter on them. They needed to be given daily. It can take a couple weeks to make a difference. Are you giving the yogurt daily?

LisaInN.Idaho · #6 04/10/12, 05:47 PM

We had an old pony with stubborn diarrhea and nothing helped till we found a probiotic supplement called Fastrack (by Conklin Pharmaceuticals).
It was nothing short of miraculous.

beccachow · #7 04/10/12, 06:01 PM

Buddy, God rest his soul, would have diarrhea whenever he got excited. Tacking him up always was a game of dodge the diarrhea. Vet visits, putting him in a stall, anything unusual brought on the bouts. Are you finding pony does this at certain times? keep an eye out to see if you can pinpoint it.

For Buddy, he always had a nasty tail and icky legs, but until this past winter never had any other problems.

Ford Zoo · #8 04/10/12, 07:51 PM

I cannot pinpoint any thing. Any treatment seems to stop it for a bit, but then so did not doing anything until recently. Trying a more agressive regiment now, all I can do is keep adding to the mix (his own special recipe I guess). Love the little guy...

Ford Zoo · #9 04/10/12, 07:59 PM

Here he is 4 years ago, "Popeye".
Thoughts on old pony with diarrhea? - Equine